In the world of "Covering the Sky," one can refine Gu (a type of poison) to become an immo

"You've finally embarked on the path of cultivation, so why aren't you happy?"

An old hand appeared out of nowhere and rested on Zhou Yi's shoulder.

With a "buzz," Zhou Yi shivered.

His aged heart skipped a beat, and his whole body, from his toes to his hair, trembled involuntarily as if he had been electrocuted.

"Sha Xiao?" Liu Yiyi looked behind Zhou Yi and asked uncertainly.

Zhou Yi felt a chill run down his spine. He wanted to speak but dared not, fearing that he might trigger something that would cost him his life.

"Sha Xiao, you've gotten so old!"

Lin Jia's voice was high-pitched and shrill, filled with despair, disbelief, and even a hint of jealousy.

She still held a sliver of hope: if Sha Xiao was alright, would she be saved simply by cultivating?

Looking at Sha Xiao's aged face, her heart gently broke.

Some people, on the contrary, breathed a sigh of relief and felt inexplicably much more relaxed.

Look, even Sha Xiao, this cultivator, has aged.

Sha Xiao gave Ye Fan and Liu Yiyi, who suddenly shed two lines of tears, a look, and explained to everyone with a smile:

"As I've said before, my path is unorthodox. My inherent life force is inferior to that of the orthodox path, only slightly stronger than that of ordinary people, and aging is a very normal thing."

Someone pointed to Ye Fan, Pang Bo, Liu Yiyi, and Zhang Ziling—the four exceptions—and asked, "What about them?"

Sha Xiao patiently explained, "Ye Fan and Pang Bo must have awakened the bloodlines of those ancient, powerful beings who could pluck stars and seize the moon, which is why they turned misfortune into blessing."

"Yiyi and Ziling are probably in harmony with the medicine and it has activated the medicinal power, which is why they are feeling a little better."

The atmosphere among the group immediately heated up: "A miraculous elixir? What elixir? Can we find another one?"

"You've all eaten them!" Sha Xiao asked, looking puzzled. "They're the wild herbs and fruits we picked yesterday afternoon; they're all medicinal herbs."

The group stared at each other, utterly astonished.

They never expected that the so-called miraculous medicine would be so ordinary!

"Don't worry, this has both advantages and disadvantages. You have all had your destiny wheel activated, and you're already halfway on the path of cultivation."

"Have you ever seen an immortal who can't become younger? As long as your cultivation level increases, there's always a way to restore these things."

After giving a casual explanation, Sha Xiao urged everyone to continue walking outside.

During their journey over mountains and valleys, Ye Fan noticed the elderly-looking Sha Xiao and couldn't help but approach him and whisper, "Sha Xiao, why didn't you take that divine fruit?"

Seeing his good brother worrying about him, Sha Xiao felt a warmth in his heart, even though he knew it was his own doing.

He lowered his voice and explained to Ye Fan, "I did it on purpose. How can I gain a foothold in a completely new world without an experienced cultivator?"

"But..." Ye Fan thought for a moment, then shut his mouth.

He knew Sha Xiao was right.

Arriving in an unfamiliar world of cultivation, having a respected elder cultivator can indeed save you a lot of trouble.

Ye Fan looked up at Sha Xiao, who had gone from a vibrant young man to an old man with white hair, and felt a pang of sadness in his heart, secretly clenching his fists.

If given the chance, he would definitely venture into the forbidden area behind him with Sha Xiao again to find the divine fruit and restore his youth!

After another difficult climb over a mountain, a small lake appeared before them.

As the group walked toward the lake to rest, they saw a ferocious beast lying on the shore, barely alive.

The ferocious beast was about five meters tall when it stood up. It was pitch black, with sharp claws that gleamed coldly, making it look terrifying.

Its body resembles that of an ape, but its head has a bird's beak that is more than a foot long, making it look like a bird demon that has become a spirit, which is extremely strange.

Sha Xiao stopped and pointed at the ferocious beast, saying to Ye Fan and Zhou Yi, "Ye Zi, Zhou Yi, go and take it down."

Zhou Yi pointed at himself in disbelief: "Huh? Me?"

While he was still hesitating, Ye Fan had already strode forward, holding the Vajra in his left hand and the signboard of the Great Thunderclap Temple in his right.

Ye Fan had complete faith in his good brother's judgment, who was willing to sacrifice his life for everyone.

Since Sha Xiao said that he and Zhou Yi could take down the ferocious beast, then he must be able to take down the ferocious beast!

Ye Fan strode forward, rapidly approaching the ferocious beast, causing everyone to hold their breath in worry.

"roar!!!"

The ferocious beast, which had been lying on the ground without panting, suddenly opened its eyes and spread its arms wide, like a curtain that blotted out the sky.

Despite its enormous size, it moved with lightning speed, as if it would swallow Ye Fan whole in the blink of an eye.

"Oh my god!"

"Ye Fan, watch out!"

Everyone gasped in surprise.

Seeing the ferocious beast rushing towards him, Ye Fan wasn't as nervous as his classmates had imagined.

He suddenly realized that he could clearly see the movement of every single hair on the ferocious beast in front of him, and its movements appeared to be in slow motion.

Ye Fan calmly took a step back, watching the ferocious beast's beak slide past the tip of his nose.

He stepped back with his left leg, pivoted on his right leg, spun around, and with his right arm gripping the bronze plaque, "kuang~~~" he slapped the beast hard across the face.

The ferocious beast was sent tumbling head over heels, turning the black mud on the lakeside upside down.

It lay in the mud and shook its head, blood flowing from its nose, its sharp eyes becoming clear, as if it had been slapped into a daze.

"Huh—?" The crowd, who had just been worried, gaped in shock.

A child who looked like a jade carving, with fair skin and delicate features, actually swung a two-meter-long bronze plaque and overturned a five-meter-tall beast in one go!

The scene before my eyes was truly shocking.

They felt like they were watching a Hollywood blockbuster and saw a miniature Hulk!

But they knew very well that it was their classmate Ye Fan.

Ye Fan took big strides to catch up with it as it rolled over, and now he seized the opportunity, his left-hand vajra continuing to smash mercilessly into the beast's face.

He and Sha Xiao had fought countless times since they were children, and he knew the principle that it was better to break one finger than to injure all ten.

The main strategy is to give them no chance to breathe, focusing on one point and relentlessly attacking it.

"Bang!"

The beast's beak was smashed off by the vajra.

"Aww!"

The pain enraged it, and with a powerful push of its hind legs, it lunged forward, its massive, blood-red maw brimming with a foul stench, ready to tear Ye Fan apart.

But Ye Fan was already prepared. He nimbly attacked and then retreated with a roar, which allowed him to move to the side of the ferocious beast.

He spun and leaped, the bronze plaque of the Great Thunderclap Temple tearing through the air with a buzzing thunderous sound, and struck the giant beast's back heavily, the sound of bones shattering immediately audible.

"Thump!"

Like tennis balls, the ferocious beasts were slammed into the mud by Ye Fan without any chance to resist.

The earth trembled, and a cloud of black soil flew up and covered the ferocious beast, saving the trouble of digging a pit to bury it.

"What a savage!"

Some classmates, seeing Ye Fan's action, recalled an incident from when he was playing tennis in college. He had served too hard, and the tennis ball bounced back so forcefully that it pierced his racket.

Zhou Yi, carrying the alms bowl, had just run down the mountain.

Watching Ye Fan swiftly and easily defeat the ferocious beast, he felt incredibly embarrassed and began to doubt his own choice.

This righteous path is too powerful!

"Old Ye, bring it up here, we'll eat it in a bit," Sha Xiao called out, taking out the seasonings and lighting the fire.

"Alright." Ye Fan said, holding the bronze plaque with his left hand and pulling it out of the mud pit with his right. He then dragged the beast up the mountain with one arm.

Approaching the dazed Zhou Yi, Ye Fan smiled and said, "What are you standing there for? Let's go."

"oh oh."

Zhou Yi stared in disbelief at Ye Fan, who was carrying over a thousand pounds and still moving faster than him.

By the time he trudged up the mountain, his old arms and legs were already coated with cumin, honey, and chili, and the aroma was irresistible.

As everyone ate their first hot meal in days, they discussed animatedly, envying Ye Fan's good fortune in being able to activate his ancient physique.

After a satisfying meal and a good rest, everyone embarked on their mountain-climbing journey once again.

As the sun gradually shifted away, the sky was once again dyed crimson by the setting sun.

After the group climbed over another mountain, Sha Xiao suddenly stopped and looked back at everyone.

"Everyone, we are about to part ways. The cultivation world is treacherous, so please be careful."

"I hope you will remember where you came from and not become traitors to your homeland, bringing disaster upon your country."

Aside from Zhou Yi, Ye Fan, and Li Xiaoman, who seemed to have figured something out, the others were still confused as to why Sha Xiao had suddenly brought this up.

Suddenly, several rainbows shot up from the mountain peaks ahead and flew towards this direction.

"This junior disciple of Lingxu Cave Heaven, along with his disciple Weiwei, greets fellow Daoist."

"Jade Cauldron Cave Heaven Ma Yun..."

"Li Ying of Jinxia Cave Heaven..."

A large group of elderly people with rosy complexions, baby-like skin, and an air of otherworldly grace stood together warily, introduced themselves, and bowed to Sha Xiao.

Only then did everyone realize that the monks' intonation was extremely strange, sounding somewhat like ancient pronunciation, making it difficult to understand.

Sha Xiao smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful bow: "Sha Xiao from Qingmao Mountain greets all fellow Daoists from afar."

Upon hearing Sha Xiao's accent, the elderly men exchanged glances and nodded in unison, becoming even more certain of their guess.

Jack Ma from Jade Cauldron Cave was the first to step out of the line and asked curiously:

"Where do you come from, and how did you lead these mortals out of this ancient forbidden zone?"

Sha Xiao glanced at the group of elderly people who had slightly adjusted their direction to surround them, and chuckled indifferently.

He pulled Ye Fan and Pang Bo over, rubbed their heads, and shook his head, sighing:

"My name is Sha Xiao, a humble cultivator from Qingmao Mountain. I greet you fellow Daoists."

"That's the question I should be asking you fellow Daoists. What kind of demonic land is this behind us that has caused our lifespans to be reduced so drastically in an instant?"

"My original purpose for this trip was to show the family members around and also to recruit new blood for the family."

"Who knew that when we climbed a high mountain to enjoy the view, we suddenly activated an ancient formation of a sage, and abruptly we traveled through several planets in succession. Life is truly unpredictable."

"If it weren't for the secret treasure passed down from our ancestors and the remnant treasure of a Buddhist master we encountered along the way, we would probably have turned to ashes by now."

"Unfortunately, the number of secret treasures is limited, and I can only save two immortal beings within my clan. But thankfully, with them, my lineage will not be cut off."

When Sha Xiao took the initiative to speak, everyone noticed that the objects tightly held in the hands of these mortals seemed to be quite extraordinary.

Someone immediately tried to ask to take a look, but was quickly stopped by the people around them.

"This desolate forbidden land is indeed a demonic land. Although it contains all kinds of divine medicines and spiritual herbs, no matter who goes in or comes out, their hair will turn white like frost, and their life will come to an end."

"Yes, I remember the legend that a peerless sect once wanted to conquer this place, but in the end, every inch of the land was stained with blood and the mountains were covered with corpses."

"It's a pity that those great sects with countless saints were reduced to ashes, and even the few top experts who had achieved the pinnacle of power became slaves in the desolate abyss."

"Oh, let's not talk about that. Fellow Daoist Sha was fortunate enough to experience the Star Shifting Technique and escape unscathed from this demonic land. He has already overcome all tribulations, and good things are sure to follow."

"Yes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined; this is exactly the truth."

A group of elderly people chattered amongst themselves, their words filled with goodwill and emotion.

Just as everyone was tentatively probing with boredom.

"Since you wish to continue your family's lineage, why not temporarily reside in my Spirit Ruins Grotto-Heaven?"

"My Lingxu Grotto Heaven is blessed with outstanding people and a sacred land above. If my two younger brothers, who are destined for immortality, live up to my potential, they may one day be able to go to the sacred land and support me together."

Weiwei, who had been standing silently behind everyone, her beauty as pure as an ice tree, suddenly stepped forward and stared intently at Sha Xiao and Ye Fan and Pang Bo behind him.

"Hiss, who... who is this young fairy?" Sha Xiao asked, looking embarrassed at being seen through. She changed the subject.

When the leader of Lingxu Cave Heaven heard Weiwei speak, he understood what his prized disciple was thinking.

Upon seeing this, he immediately stepped forward and introduced Sha Xiao:

"Weiwei is a celestial seedling nurtured by our grotto-heaven. She will be going to the main branch's sacred land to cultivate in a while."

He paused, then smiled and said, "What Weiwei said is valid in my sect."

"Oh~~~" Sha Xiao suddenly realized, and smiled at the old man of Lingxu Cave Heaven, "Your cave heaven is truly excellent in its teaching, and your disciple is also young and promising."

"Not at all, it's mainly because Weiwei is naturally gifted and hardworking. We only played a small role in it."

The elders of Lingxu Cave Heaven smiled and politely declined.

The other major grotto-heavens were startled and immediately regretted their actions. They were all seasoned veterans, and they all understood that Weiwei's words had indeed struck a chord with Sha Xiao.

Why didn't they dare to ask? They let Weiwei gain a head start for Lingxu Cave Heaven.

"Heh, your Spirit Ruins are built on ruins, surrounded by insects, snakes, and wild beasts every day. It's more of a blessed land than a celestial paradise. Besides, which of us doesn't have a sacred place behind us?"

Those who possessed the hidden world didn't hold back in exposing the secrets of Lingxu.

"Bah! Liu Wanshan, stop your nonsense! Your grotto-heaven has to fight bloody battles with cultivators from other countries every day for resources. How can you say it's any better?"

"That beast is merely raised by my Lingxu to hone my disciples. How can you compare to the abundant resources of my Lingxu!" The old man of Lingxu Cave Heaven rolled up his sleeves and cursed.

"Heh, they have to fight with the wild beasts in the ruins for even the smallest bit of resources. They must be rich in resources." The old woman from Golden Cloud Cave Heaven sneered.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, let's not spoil the harmony. I know what you all think. So, why don't you all hear what I have to say?"

Sha Xiao stirred his true essence and mobilized some of the pressure from the immortal Gu. The old men, who were about to fight, were startled and immediately stopped.